Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Miranda
Crybaby
It took all her strength not to scream or cry when the fire chief said the side of the barn would need to be torn down and rebuilt.
The fire had not only hit the tree but also burned up enough of the side of the barn to make it unusable.
That was not in the budget. But neither was letting her prize horses suffer or sleep outside.
She’d have to figure out what else she could sell to pay for those repairs.
The firemen were cutting out all the fire-singed wood, chopping down the damaged tree, and said they’d pile up all the debris.
“This is so crazy,” Jeremy said looking at the charred earth and split tree.
Miranda thought about how she used to climb that tree and watch her dad’s horse wrangler work the horses.
She had to blink back tears because if she started to cry now, she probably wouldn’t be able to stop.
Looking over at the good portion of the fence she spotted Renn whispering to Beast, but his eyes met hers.
Turning away from him she walked into the barn from the second narrow entrance on the one good side, to check the interior. Everything was wet but salvageable.
“Andy, a word,” Wes said, stepping inside the damp, humid space.
She recognized the look in Wes’s eyes. It was the same one people had been using on her since her mama left when she was ten.
“Don’t pity me, Sheriff—at least I didn’t let the insurance policy lapse.” Lie, she thought as she mentally kicked herself.
He shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t dare, but I will offer to help you out. Get some quotes for the insurance company, and I’ll take care of the rebuild.”
“You, you’re going to rebuild an entire side of my barn?”
“You know Levi built Dalton’s place. He’s back on the road with his team but he’ll be back to rebuild it, but in the meantime, we can figure out what supplies to get.”
She sighed. “I can’t afford to tell you no.”
Wes nodded. “Then it’s settled. And I think we can use some leftover fencing we’ve got to close up this damaged side for now. Keep the horses safe from any critters and stop them getting out.”
“Thank you.”
“Actually, you’re helping me, because if I don’t help you with this rebuild, my gran will show up with a hammer.”
She had to smile knowing Mrs. Hart would do just that.
“Who’s your friend out there? He saved Beast. Said he was visiting y’all when I saw him on your property earlier.”
“I’m not sure yet,” Wes said, then started to walk out toward the now opened end of the barn. “But it looks like more trouble is headed your way, so get ready.”
“Miranda, I heard there was a fire out here and came right away. Are you alright, honey?” Ms. Michelle Rite stood in designer cowgirl boots and a Chanel raincoat with an umbrella inside the barn.
“Ms. Rite, you drove out in this storm just to check on me? You shouldn’t have.”
“Well yes, honey, I had my driver bring me right away. We sorority sisters need to stick together.”
Miranda laughed because although they were members of the same sorority, and attended the same college, it was about twenty years apart.
She knew the woman was just out there to collect as much information as possible on Miranda’s latest setback.
And probably wanted to make sure her ex-fiancé Charles Dubois wasn’t there, because Ms. Rite had set her sights on him for herself.
Looking out at the driveway she could see the firetruck backing out, and Wes waved to her before getting in his cruiser, along with his family’s mystery guest—Renn.
“Now who was that with Wesley Hart? He looked familiar.”
“A family friend, I think.” She didn’t want to say too much but since she didn’t know anything she really couldn’t.
“How in the world did this fire start and what will you do about your horses?”
The last thing Miranda wanted to deal with was the Beach Club gossip queen.
But this was her life, pretending to be something she wasn’t to hold on to any ounce of prestige for her ranch of thoroughbred horses.
But her own image was like a tattered old shoe showing all its wear and tear.
And she was one more misfortune away from losing it all.
“As you can see, the horses are all just fine. We had a little bad luck with a lightning strike that caused a small fire. But my Beautiful Beasts are made from strong stock and can weather any storm. Now as much as I appreciate you stopping by, I really do need to take care of this. I’ll see you at the club later this week. ”
“Oh, I thought I heard you let your club membership lapse?” Ms. Rite said with a sly smile.
Just when Miranda thought she would lose it and tell this snide woman that she could take a long walk off a very short pier, a big black truck pulled up and backed up to the side of the barn that had been destroyed.
And Wes’s cruiser followed, pulling up next to the truck, but as soon as it parked Mrs. Hart opened up the passenger door.
“I guess there’s always another hero waiting to rescue you, Miranda,” Ms. Rite said not hiding her judgmental tone.
“Guess so, and if I were you I’d get going before Mrs. Hart tries to put you to work.”
“Michelle, were you planning to help Andy rebuild this barn or are you just out looking for gossip?” Mrs. Hart asked.
“Mrs. Hart, you’re not the only neighbor who cares about our Sutton family.”
Mrs. Hart gave Miranda a big hug and wrapped a protective arm around her. “Then you won’t mind seeing about getting some catering while my grandsons get started on securing this barn for the horses, so they don’t get out again.”
Michelle stammered and reopened her umbrella. “No, I don’t mind in the least bit. I’ll have the club send something over right away.” She started to walk away. “You just call me if you need anything else, Miranda honey. I’ll let Charles know you’re doing just fine.”
Her spine stiffened at the use of her ex-fiancé’s name. “Please don’t trouble yourself, Ms. Rite. I’ve got plenty of food and he doesn’t really need to know my business anymore. But thank you so much for stopping by,” Miranda called as the woman stomped through the mud to her waiting Mercedes limo.
“Bless her nosy, jealous heart. You know she can’t wait to get back to the club and tell everyone about this.”
But as soon as her car rolled away another truck pulled up the drive with her best friend Shelby and Mrs. Hart’s grandson Max.
“She’ll especially love to note that the Hart family came to my rescue, but none of them are available for poor Miranda to marry,” Miranda quipped.
“Well, we all know you don’t really need a man to save you, but why rob my boys of the joy of playing hero in all this mud?”
“Heard we get to build a barn today!” Max ran up to give Mrs. Hart a big hug, then he ran toward the truck where Wes and Renn were unloading fencing.
“Brooke asked me to bring Max over so he could help, and she could get a nap,” Shelby said, giving Miranda a hug. “I’m sorry about the barn.”
“I’m just going to go chat with your stepmom while you supervise this project,” Mrs. Hart said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hart.”
But she just swatted at the air as if a thank you were completely unnecessary. It was still drizzling a bit as Shelby walked up with an extra-large umbrella.
“Just when you think my life can’t get any more disastrous,” Miranda said.
“Look on the bright side, all these men just rolled up with supplies and a plan. I swear Wes is so hot,” Shelby said.
“Oh my word, you two are so ridiculously in love.” Miranda noticed how Wes caught Shelby drooling over him and winked. The man was literally a grump for everyone but Shelby.
“I’ve got some juicy gossip to share with you while we watch. Wanna go sit in the warm, dry car to chat?”
“I feel like I should be helping.”
“Uh, there are two grown men with hammers, two boys who are dying to use a hammer, and Levi on video chat. I think they’ve got it covered. Come on,” Shelby said, turning back toward her SUV and getting in the driver’s seat.
Climbing into the still-warm cab of the car, Andy could feel her body start to thaw. “I didn’t realize how chilly it was out there.”
“Well, you’re half drenched, so sit back and dry out while I tell you the juiciest secret that this town has heard in years.”
“Or since I got engaged to a man twice my age?”
“Or that lapse in judgment fueled by fear and desperation.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay, but first I have to swear you to secrecy,” Shelby said holding out her pinkie finger.
“Oh my, this is juicy. Are we ten again?” And they both broke out giggling.
“Renn Walker is the fourth Hart brother,” Shelby said pointing to the man that Miranda had given her virginity to, the man who had saved Beast and who she couldn’t seem to stop watching.
“What? Since when is there a fourth?”
“Exactly. Turns out Mr. Hart had an affair ten years before he died.”
“No way. And he’s just showing up now?”
“Yep.”
“And the boys didn’t know he existed?”
“Nope.”
“But I bet Mrs. Hart did.”
“Yep.”
“Wow,” she said, sinking back into the seat.
“I know.”
They both sat back in their seats and watched as Renn handed Jeremy a hammer and some nails and then held up a large portion of metal fencing against the wood barn.
He’d taken off his raincoat, and his T-shirt was starting to stick to him as he talked Jeremy through where to put the nails.
She could see his biceps and forearms flex as he held the large piece of fence in place.
“And he’s just as handsome as his half-brothers, if you ask me,” Shelby said, then looked to Miranda who had her hands over her mouth in shock.
She’d slept with a Hart and hadn’t even known it.
“Wait a minute, is he the tall, gorgeous stranger you met at Hooligans and then spent the hottest night of your life with?” Shelby squealed.
She just hung her head before she nodded. “You’re sworn to secrecy,” Miranda reminded her.
But Shelby’s devious laugh spoke volumes and said that she was already formulating a plan.
“Don’t even think of trying to play matchmaker. I just got out of one relationship and have my hands full.”
“Oh, I know, but if it all turns out to be true you can bet you’ll be seeing a lot more of your one-night stand around this town and probably your ranch. Does that even count as a one-night stand, if he comes over later that week to fix your barn?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Well, apparently, he grew up on a ranch that bred horses. And since the Harts don’t have any horses, I’m guessing he’ll be drawn to you and your barn full of prize thoroughbreds.”
“Shelby, I am not one of the characters in your books.”
“No, but I was recently thinking maybe I should start writing some adult fiction about spitfire cowgirls and hot heroes.”
They both burst into fits of laughter again.
“Look at Jeremy out there—he’s loving this,” Shelby said.
“He needs some alpha energy, a man to teach him how to be one.” Andy sighed.
“You’re doing a great job and Wes makes sure to check in on him, attends his practices, and you know he won’t miss a game.”
“I know, and I’m so grateful. I’m just worried Jer is missing out, and I don’t want Wes to feel obligated.”
“That’s natural, but Wes understands all too well what it means to lose a father and he likes playing big brother. It’s part of who he is.”
“You’re right, and in four short years Jeremy will be headed off to college.”
“Which means you need to stay focused on your dreams and goals, and don’t be too proud to ask for help.”
“Alright.”
The men had the fencing secured in no time and the rain finally stopped, so Miranda and Shelby exited the car.
They walked over to Wes where he was loading the last of his tools in the back of the unfamiliar truck and Miranda assumed it was Renn’s.
She still couldn’t believe there was a fourth Hart and she’d slept with him.
“Levi’s working on a schematic for an updated doorway on this side and he’ll put together a list of all the supplies we need,” Wes said. “He said it’d be easier if he just ordered it all and then we’ll knock out the build once he’s back in town.”
Before she could respond Jeremy produced a football. “Sheriff, you got time for a little ball?” and he threw a perfect spiral.
Wes easily caught it. “Thought you’d never ask, but I don’t think these two would want to get all dirty,” Wes said pointing to Max and Renn.
“Nothing like a little mud ball,” Renn said.
Max jumped up and down with excitement as Wes tossed Renn the ball.
“Go long,” Renn said to Jeremy who took off running. But Renn waved Jeremy to back up further.
“No way,” Max said, as he watched eager to play too.
Jeremy ran to the edge of the horse pasture and Renn threw the ball like he was just casually casting a fishing line, and it landed right in Jeremy’s hands.
“Don’t see that every day,” Wes said.
Jeremy came running back toward them. “How’d you do that?”
“I’ll teach ya,” Renn said.
“Huh, maybe he belongs here more than we thought,” Shelby said.
The boys decided on some rules, and all headed out to the pasture, and before she knew it she and Shelby were leaning on the fencing watching the men play. But by the time the game was over they were all covered in mud and grass, and it started to rain again.
She thanked everyone and waved as they loaded up.
“Jeremy, go clean up then come back to help me feed the horses before dinner.”
“Okay,” he hollered on his way to the house, and she entered the barn.
It still held the damp smell of smoke but at least it was salvageable.
She had no idea how much the rebuild would cost but she knew she didn’t have the money.
But she had a plan—she could sell a few acres of land without really cutting into the main homestead or grazing pastures she used for the horses.
She just had to make sure she had the right buyer who would agree to be quiet about the sale.
As she portioned out the oats and fresh water for the horses, she wondered how the Hart brothers took the news about their father’s infidelity and if they’d really welcome Renn with open arms. It wasn’t his fault, after all.
She knew all about feeling unwanted by a parent—maybe they had more in common than she realized.